Abstract —
In the present study, we investigated the physiological and potential
performance enhancing effects of New Zealand Deer Antler Velvet (NZDAV)
supplementation in men. Thirty-two males between the ages of 18 and 35 with
at least 4 years of weight lifting experience were randomly assigned using a
double-blinded procedure into either a placebo or NZDAV treatment group.
Placebo group members received sugar pills and the NZDAV group received 1500
mg NZDAV once in the morning and immediately prior to bed-time. Random
assignment was done in matched pairs (1 placebo; 1 NZDAV). Prior to and
immediately following the 10-week supplementation use, each subject
participated in a series of measurements. These procedures included the
measurement of maximal aerobic capacity

( Ý V O2max ), maximal power
output on a cycle ergometer, a determination of maximal strength (1-RM) for
the bench-press and squat, acomprehensive blood
chemistry profile, body composition analyses (DEXA), and a 3-day dietary
recall. Of the original 32 subjects recruited for this study, 56% of the
subjects completed all aspects of the study properly which was evenly
divided between the two treatment groups leaving the placebo group n = 9 and
NZDAV group n = 9 subjects. At the start of the study, there were no
significant differences between the groups in their respective body
composition profile variables.

In the NZDAV group, DEXA %
body fat (p = 0.04), DEXA Fat Wt (p = 0.07), and Trunk-to-limb Fat Wt ratio
(p = 0.02) either significantly declined or neared significance. According
to the results for the placebo group, only the 1-RM values for this group’s
absolute bench (Pre: 123.2 ± 24.0 kg; Post: 128.3 ± 27.5 kg, 4.1% ; p =
0.04) and squat (Pre: 150.5 ± 28.2 kg; Post: 156.6 ± 30.4 kg, 4.1% ; p =
0.04) 1-RM improved after the intervention period. When normalized for
kilogram of total body weight, the placebo group did not show any
significant differences for the 1-RM measurement in both the bench and
squat. In contrast, the NZDAV showed a significant improvement in the 1-RM
values in absolute terms and relative to total body weight. In absolute
terms, the 1-RM for the bench press increased 4.2% (Pre: 120.0 ± 23.6 kg;
Post: 125.0 ± 25.7 kg;p = 0.02) while the
squat 1-RM improved 9.9% (Pre: 159.3 ± 42.7 kg; Post: 175.0 ± 43.5kg; p =
0.002) in NZDAV group. In contrast to the placebo group, when 1-RM values
were expressed relative to total body weight, the bench press and squat also
significantly improved 4.0% and 10.1%, respectively (p = 0.02) in the NZDAV.
One of the most interesting findings of this study was the fact that there
was also a significant improvement in aerobic capacity in the NZDAV
treatment group. In liters • min-1, Ý V O2max increased significantly by
9.8% from the pre- to posttreatment period (4.30 ± 0.45 to 4.72 ± 0.60 liter
• min-1; p = 0.002). When expressed relative to total body weight in
kilograms, Ý V O2max remained significantly elevated 9.4% (46.5 ± 8.1 to50.0 ± 8.9 ml •
kg-1 • min-1)
following the training-supplement intervention. This study’s results suggest that NZDAV may have positive
effects on body composition and strength/power in resistance training men.